Barrister Jideofor Okongwu, an attorney and community leader, has called for increased participation in the New Yam Festival, emphasizing its cultural and agricultural significance.
The festival was recently celebrated in Enugwu Adazi-Enu, a vibrant community in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.
This annual event, known as Iri-ji ohuu, marks the harvest season and highlights the importance of agriculture in the region.
During the festival, Barrister Okongwu, who is also the Chairman of Enugwu Adazi-Enu and a member of the Igwe-in-council, passionately advocated for youth involvement in agriculture. He underscored the role of farming in the socio-economic development of the community and encouraged young people to view agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path.
In his speech, Okongwu highlighted the numerous opportunities within the agricultural sector, urging the youth to leverage these for personal growth and communal development. He also mentioned various initiatives by the local government aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among young farmers, including training programs, workshops, and demonstrations designed to equip them with modern farming techniques and technologies.
“By providing resources, training, and infrastructure, we can transform agriculture from a perception of ‘backbreaking labor’ to an innovative and profitable business opportunity for young people,” Okongwu stated.
He added that these initiatives aim to revolutionize farming practices and promote sustainable, profitable agriculture.
The festival, traditionally initiated by the town’s monarch, His Royal Highness Igwe Alphonsus Okpaluechelu, involves the entire community in celebrating the harvest.
Okongwu addressed misconceptions about the festival, clarifying that it is not idol worship but a cultural celebration that honors Igbo traditions and promotes community bonding.
The President-General of Adazi-Enu Town Union, Chief Emmanuel Ejidike, also emphasized the festival’s cultural importance, noting that it fosters gratitude, unity, and the preservation of Igbo customs.